Travel Traits That Boomers and Millennials Share

If you listen closely you can hear Boomers comparing themselves to Millennials and vice versa.

“You’re just like us!” “No, we are so different!”

I am a Boomer and gave birth to Millennials, and we engage in conversations about our similarities and differences all the time. In addition, these demographics have been studied left and right to understand what each group’s habits are when it comes to traveling and spending money, attitudes and beliefs and more.

“Millennials and Boomer generations are not that different,” said Margie Lenau of Family Wonderland Vacations in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “They both like to travel for pleasure and want authentic experiences to remember. I find that they both are curious about other cultures. Because of this curiosity, they like to see the country and explore the landscape.”

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Greg Caplan, CEO and co-founder of Remote Year said that Boomers and Millennials are seeking out experiences rather than things: "It wasn’t long ago that people defined luxury as buying your own home, driving a fancy car or wearing an expensive watch, but that’s changing. More and more professionals, regardless of whether or not they are Millennials, are adopting this kind of a Millennial mindset regarding their work-life flexibility.”

While they are traveling, Jacquie Whitt of Adios Adventure Travel in Virginia Beach, Virginia noted that both groups enjoy an adventure: "Both groups enjoy getting an off-the-beaten-track and seem to share an interest in soft adventure. They want at least some creature comforts as they tramp around remote destinations.”

Lenau said that both groups also appreciate a good value and are careful with their budgets: “I like working with both generations. They challenge me to include experiences beyond their resorts and hotels.”

Marketing Millennials

When it comes to attracting Millennials to travel, Lenau said that she needs to reach out on social media: "The Millennial generation is very social, so it is no surprise that advertising on social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter reaches them easily. Travel trends that are in the news will catch their attention.”

While Millennials are up-to-date with modern technology, Katie Berry, travel agent with MickeyTravels LLC says they are they are also very nostalgic, which can be helpful in marketing: “Using marketing tools that focus on their childhood memories, such as tv shows or popular events, makes travel destinations much more appealing.”

Matt Wilson, with under30experiences.com said that the most connected generation craves what you'd never expect—connection:

“Millennials have a deep need to put down their phones, be in the present moment and experience life beyond the superficial. As Gen Y often works from their apartments and lonely coffee shops, the need for community and connection with others on a deep level is stronger than ever. At Under30Experiences, we bring people together both online and offline and train our Trip Leaders to remind people to take pictures, but then be present. This experiential marketing has led us to a 40 percent-plus rebooking rate.”